SWINE flu has broken out at one of south Manchester high schools, but head teachers have declared it’s ‘business as usual’ until the end of term.

Lessons are continuing at Chorlton High School where two pupils were diagnosed with the virus on Friday, July 3.

An 11-year-old at Parrs Wood High School was suspected of having the disease on Wednesday, July 1, but tests came back negative.

Letters have been sent out to parents at both schools informing them of the situation.

Following national guidelines, both schools have remained open with the children affected by the disease being treated at home.

James Eldon, senior deputy headteacher at Nell Lane’s Chorlton High School, said: "We will be staying open as normal and I have been reassuring parents that this is following national guidelines.

"Two students were diagnosed with swine flu on Friday and administration staff stayed late that evening getting letters out to parents telling them of the situation."

Vulnerable students, such as those with asthma, and one teacher who is pregnant had also been told to stay at home.

Any pupils or teachers displaying possible swine flu symptoms were told to go home, with the school also calling in an extra team of cleaners to tackle areas where germs could be spread.

However, some parents were unhappy with their children staying in school.

The mum of one Chorlton High School pupil said: "I have taken my child out of school. They are going in for tests but that is all. I am very worried.

"When I called on Monday morning they told me the two children concerned had been confirmed and that one member of staff had been sent home as a precautionary measure as she is pregnant."

The parent, who asked not to be named, added: "Happily, the school breaks up in two weeks’ time but it is pretty worrying for parents when it happens at their school. I feel we ought to be told more."

Peter Whelan, whose 13-year-old daughter Jessica attends Parrs Wood High School, said: "After we dropped Jessica off at school on Thursday morning, she texted us to say there was a rumour someone had swine flu. We were really worried and I couldn’t believe it when I called the school and could only get through to an answerphone.

"Jessica recently had a major operation and although the school have told us it is safe for her to be there, we are still extremely worried."

On Friday, July 3, health minister Andy Burnham announced that swine flu could no longer be contained after a ‘considerable rise’ in confirmed cases across the country.

During his visit to Withington’s Christie hospital, just a few miles from both schools, Mr Burnham met local health chiefs in the hospital’s boardroom to discuss the situation.